
Meta, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is set to fire 3,600 employees next week as part of its latest round of mass layoffs, targeting 5% of its “lowest performers.” The notices will be sent out starting Monday at 5 AM local time in most countries, including the United States, according to a report by Reuters.
Layoffs to Begin Next Week
While employees in the U.S. and several other countries will receive termination notices next week, workers in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands will be exempt due to local labor regulations. Employees across Europe, Asia, and Africa are expected to be notified between February 11 and February 18.
Last month, Meta confirmed that it would be eliminating 5% of its workforce based on performance metrics. Unlike previous large-scale layoffs, the company will not be shutting down its offices on Monday, nor will it issue detailed updates regarding the decision.
Meta Prioritizing AI Hiring
Despite the job cuts, Meta is ramping up hiring in key areas, particularly for machine learning engineers. In a memo sent to staff, VP of Engineering for Monetization Peng Fan urged employees to assist with the accelerated hiring process for “business-critical” engineering roles, which will take place between February 11 and March 13.
“Thank you for your continued support in helping us achieve our accelerated hiring goals and better align with our company’s priorities for 2025,” Fan stated.
Job Market Trends in the U.S.
The layoffs at Meta come as the U.S. job market shows signs of a slowdown. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), job openings fell to 7.6 million in December, down from 8.16 million in November, marking a three-month low.
The upcoming job cuts at Meta are part of the company’s ongoing restructuring efforts as it shifts focus toward artificial intelligence and business-critical operations.
Sources By Agencies